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Q & A: Vibration

John,

Thanks for the opportunity to call you and to e-mail you with questions and comments. I have a 1960 MGA that I cannot seem to isolate a vibration with. I have owned this car for about 11 years and have always had a rough ride in 4th gear. The car is stock except for a 3.9:1 MGB pumpkin ball which I installed a couple of years ago. I've had the "U" joints replaced and the drive shaft balanced. It has been installed per the manual. Last year I bought a new set of mini-lite wheels and had new Michelin tires mounted and spin (computer) balanced. Each step along the way, I've seen what I felt was modest improvement in the vibration situation. Last winter, I rebuilt the front end as well. All new bushings etc.

The current symptoms are as follows. The car shifts through third gear without any noticable problems. When I shift into 4th gear I occasionally notice a very rough vibration that I can't seem to "drive through". I have also noticed that on some occasions when I shift into 4th, I don't get any noticable vibrations. Two weeks ago, I started experimenting and if the car vibrated after shifting into 4th, I would shift into neutral and then back into 4th and often times, the vibration would cease or at least decrease quite a lot.

Is there a possibility that 4th gear is somehow out of alingment in some instances or is this just a one of a kind MGA?

I would be interested in your take on this.

Thanks, Tom Ford

TOM!

I know that we discussed this on the phone, and I really don't have any more ideas now than I did when we spoke, but just for the review:

There are five things turning when you're driving: four wheels an... read more